Original Arctic Circle Drive from Fairbanks
Description
Discover Alaska’s Arctic! Experience for yourself the legendary hospitality and authentic interpretation that made the Original Arctic Circle Drive Adventure famous. Travel the famed Dalton Highway. View the remarkable Trans Alaska Pipeline. Visit the Arctic Circle Trading Post. Experience the mighty Yukon River. Explore up close the amazing arctic tundra. Cross the Arctic Circle and receive an official Arctic Circle Adventure Certificate. The ground tour can take place in a 26 passenger coach or 15 passenger van depending on the number of guests we have. Longest time between stops is 2 hours; however, some stops will be closer. Most stops have an outhouse or bathroom for guests to use if we are not traveling in the coach which has a bathroom on board.
Tour Options
Itinerary
DOES NOT GO TO COLDFOOT - But Viator Locator only has Coldfoot. Guests will be on the Dalton Highway from Mile 0 - 115 - The turn around for the day tour is the Arctic Circle Rest Area. This is a full day guided ground tour on the Dalton Highway to the Arctic Circle. Along the way the guide will share the story of Alaska's Arctic both while in motion and at the various stops along the way.
The Dalton Highway has the only bridge crossing the mighty Yukon River -- and guests will be on it as they make their way north. A stop is made here both north and south to get out and step along the banks of the Yukon River. This is also the home of the Yukon River Camp Noodle House where guests can purchase lunch/dinner as needed.
Located in Joy Alaska this is one part of the story of Alaska's Arctic - Homesteading and making a home in Alaska's remote wild areas. Learn about this process and how earlier pioneers made a home off the road system and off the grid.
Located at 66'33" - the Arctic Circle marks the location that on June 21 the sun doesn't set and on December 21 the sun doesn't rise. Your guide will celebrate with you when you make this crossing and present you with your official Arctic Circle Certificate.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated providing the passenger is accompanied by someone who can assist them board and disembark
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Subject to favorable weather conditions. If canceled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund
- This tour is conducted in a 25 passenger motor coach or 15 passenger van depending on the number of guests traveling. The coach does have a restroom on board to be used between stops or at stops that don't have a restroom. If we are not traveling on the coach we will be stopping approximately every 2 hours for a restroom break -- which are outhouses along the Dalton Highway.
- We encourage guests with any questions on limited mobility and this adventure to contact us and speak directly about the tour and what your needs are to see if they can be met.
- CHECK IN TIME - Check in opens at 5:45AM and closes at 6:00AM for this tour. Guests not here by 6:00AM risk missing this tour.
Reviews(220)
Good trip Ezra was an excellent guide, food was ok. Lunch meat sandwich (added cost) dinner Salmon burger with sweet potato fries(added cost) be ready for rough road as dalton highway is gravel. Stopped every couple hours for a break, brought our own snacks and beverages to have while driving. About a 14 hour day round trip. Good group we travelled with good equipment would definitely recommend
Thank you for joining us on the Original Arctic Circle Drive Adventure. We are so glad you enjoyed the adventure.
It was a long day and a rough bumpy road, but our guide, Sienna, was enthusiastic and shared her vast knowledge of Alaska. We were excited to go above the Arctic Circle!
Thank you for joining us for your adventure in Alaska's Arctic. So glad you enjoyed the experience.
I’m not going to lie, this is a loooooong drive on a dirt road. However, you get a real feel for Alaska (remote, great distances, no easy way to get there, etc.) To me it was worth it, and we had perfectly timed stops to stretch our legs and grab a bite at the halfway point coming and going.
So glad you enjoyed your adventure. Yes, we do not try to hide the fact it is a full day in a very remote area. Best wishes for more great adventures in Alaska!
The scenery was amazing. Sabrina from northern Alaska tour was fantastic. She was courteous, personable, and provided a lot of info. Excellent driver - 16 hours on bumpy road with a lot of heavy trucks. Visiting the arctic circle sign was on our bucket list and we met that. It was a great feeling! The food at Yukon river trading post was awesome. Loved their vegan burger. Loved it and recommend it highly.
Thank you so much for your recommendation and for sharing with others your experience. We are so glad you enjoyed yourself (and for sharing your experience eating at the Yukon River!). Safe travels!
This is an amazing trip to the Artic Circle. It is a very long day but so worth it. Our guide, Paul M is awesome. He is very knowledgeable about Alaska, it’s citizens, and it’s wildlife. Be prepared for a bumpy ride and mosquitoes!
Thank you for joining us on the Arctic Circle Drive Adventure. Yes, you hit it spot on -- the only wildlife we can guarantee in the summer is those mosquitoes! So glad you enjoyed it despite them. Happy travels!
The drive is definitely not for the meek. Do not attempt it in a sedan ..ever. this is an SUV or truck road only. The views are amazing.
Thank you for joining us and the recommendation to join a tour versus doing it on your own. Thank you.
This was a long tour but worth every minute. The tour guide was very friendly, knowledgeable. And engaging throughout the entire trip.
Thank you so much for joining us. We are so glad you enjoyed your Arctic Circle Adventure with us.
This is an all day experience that will leave you in awe at the magnificent beauty of Alaska. Our guide was very informative, friendly and accommodating.
Thank you for joining us and for sharing with others about your experience. Happy Travels!
hours of bumpy riding - not for everyone. beautiful scenery. Good food and service at Yukon River Camp.
Thank you for joining us on the Arctic Circle Drive Adventure. Yes, it is a full day and that road is part of the adventure. Best wishes for a bright summer!
This tour really fills up your day. It started at 6:30 am and I was returned to my lodgings in Fairbanks at midnight. It was amazing and the tour guide, Tim, was knowledgeable about everything, from the flora and the fauna we encountered on the way, to the histories of the Dalton highway, the oil pipeline, and human settlement in the areas. Tim drove us 200 miles to bring us to the start of the Arctic Circle, offered us many opportunities for restroom breaks, made multiple stops so that we could have opportunities for pictures at scenic stops like the Yukon River and Arctic tundra, and he even dug a hole in the ground so that we could experience the physical geography of the tundra firsthand, and really feel the permafrost layer that resides beneath the moistened topsoil. Wildlife sightings on my tour included ravens, Canadian jays, a porcupine, mama and baby moose (briefly), red squirrels, and snowshoe hares. The trip also consisted of beautiful views, among them being miles and miles of trees in every direction, which created the most incredible collage of shades of green that I have ever seen!
Thank you so much for taking the time to share with others about your experience. We do try to share with others it is a full day -- but oh so worth it. AND, we appreciate you are sharing that so they can hear from other travelers and not just us...we can be a bit biased (smile). We are so glad you enjoyed the time out with Tim and wish you safe travels!
